May 21, 2013

As spring fades and summer approaches, the once spectacular flowers of spring are disappearing from view in a quiet way and the young and fresh leaves of trees and plants are beginning to grow thicker and deeper for welcoming the dazzling sun of summer.

The singing of summer migratory birds is already heard from nowhere apparent and beautiful swallowtails have just started flitting around to seek the floral nectar of early summer.

In the quiet temples of Zen, the routine of day is notified by the vibrant and sharp sounds of "Narashimono (sound instruments) ," which are usually a Kane (temple bell), a Mokugyo (wood block), a Moppan (wooden board) or the like.

In particular, a Moppan, which is a wooden board about 50 cm wide by 25cm high, is commonly hanged at the entrance of a So-do (Zen meditation hall) and used to announce the starting and finishing times of the training practices and other daily routine by striking this board with a wooden hammer.

In the Zen temples of the Rinzai Sect, the following words are generally inscribed on the Moppan;

"Shoji jidai," which means that our ultimate purpose is to realize the true nature of our life and death,

"Mujyo jinsoku," which means that our life is always transient and uncertain and death soon comes to all,

"Ko-in oshimubeshi," which means that time flies fast and so you must not waste every second, and

"Shinmotsu houitsu," which means that you must keep training yourself toward your final awakening with all your effort.

In the Zen temples of Rinzai school, the Sodo is the particular hall where a group of trainee monks strictly train themselves through their rigorous practices such as Zazen (sitting meditation).

Along the inner walls of this hall, the small discrete spaces called "Tan (unit)" are arranged in a row. This "Tan" is one Tatami mat (about 180 by 90 cm) in size and is provided as the individual practice space where each trainee monk lives in poverty and sits in meditation every day.

The entrance of Sodo is always left open even in winter. On the wooden board hanged beside the entrance, the characters of "Zazen" is inscribed.

May 7, 2013

The pale flowers of Shaga are blooming modestly above the small stream flowing silently.

The subtle passage of seasons is often hinted to us by the appearance and disappearance of diverse living beings in the gardens.

Soon these fragile flowers will vanish away inconspicuously to let us find that spring ends finally and the various living things which notify of the arrival of early summer will show themselves one after another.

In the thick growth of weeds beside the weathered stone steps leading up to the temple, the crimson flowers of Tsutsuji and the bluish-white flowers of Shaga are blooming unobtrusively as though they were enjoying quietly the mild sunbeams of spring and the deep green stillness of this garden.

About Me

The area called "Kita-kamakura" or Northern Kamakura was a cradle of Zen Buddhism in Japan and is characterized by the presence of the historic and prominent Zen temples of Rinzai School.
The profoundness and spirituality of Zen can still be sensed vividly in the quiet scenes of these temples and their natural surroundings.
When I go for a walk in the
peaceful gardens of these temples, I always carry my camera to capture the unforgettable moments of wonder which I encounter only once in a lifetime.